As a new Labradoodle owner, nothing would be more off-putting than learning that the Canine you have opted for as a family companion is going to be stinky. Sure, all dog breeds may give off a unique odor, but some Labradoodles can particularly be more susceptible to some smells than other breeds.
However, the smell can be mild and not too overwhelming or offensive as far as stinky dogs go. Read on to learn likely reasons why Labradoodles might stink and what you can do to ensure your dog always remains clean and fresh.
Why Do Labradoodles Smell?
Labradoodles might smell more than other dog breeds because they feature coat characteristics that make them more pungent. Moreover, they love spending time outdoors, thus increasing their likelihood of allergies and infections, which might make them stink more.
Besides their active lifestyle, there are several other reasons why a Labradoodle might smell, as seen below.
1. Ear Infections
Generally, all Doodle varieties are susceptible to ear infections due to their Poodle lineage. Poodles tend to have internal ear hair, which can easily block airflow, thus causing moisture and bacteria to build up in the canal. If it accumulates for a while, it can cause ear infections, often producing a nasty smell inside your Labradoodles ear canal.
Not only that, but this breed also features droopy and long ears that are more likely to trap grease, dirt, and other unwanted debris inside. If the stinky ears appear heavy and yeasty, look closer because that is where the smell is likely coming from.
Fortunately, you can prevent this issue by regularly cleaning your Labradoodles ears.
2. Allergies
Labradoodles can also be stinky due to allergic reactions from a new diet, new dog shampoo, or even an extreme reaction to a flea infestation.
Since fleas tend to be the most active during the summer, you should groom and pay close attention to your dog’s coat as you check for fleas. These notorious pets are known to latch onto dogs, and once their bodily fluids get into the Labradoodle’s bloodstream, your dog will get an allergic reaction from the infection.
You can tell that your Labradoodle suffers from a flea allergic reaction if you notice excessive swelling, itching, and even irritation in the affected areas.
3. Dental Issues
Generally, all dog breeds are susceptible to bad breath. Foul breath due to dental issues is often a result of plaque buildup and bacteria getting trapped in the gums. Thankfully, plaque can easily be removed without a professional having to intervene.
But if the plaque progresses into tartar or calculus, you might have to get your dog professionally cleaned. However, you can avoid this medical issue entirely by offering your Labradoodle chew toys or dental treats specifically for cleaning your mutt’s teeth.
4. Gas From Diet
Another common culprit for a bad odor emanating from your dog is because of gas, which is often associated with the dog’s diet. Sure, all animals—dogs included—pass gas from time to time. However, if your dog is gassy for an extended period or frequently passes foul-smelling gas, this is a sign that you need to change your dog’s diet.
Dogs may be natural carnivores, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should offer your Labradoodle a strictly meaty diet. But it should be the primary ingredient for any treats or kibble that you feed your dog.
Either way, give your dog a fresh food diet to help get rid of foul smells. Fresh foods are a better alternative because they lack the ingredients and additives found in most commercially produced dog foods that can exacerbate the foul smell.
5. Dirty Coat
While this may seem like an obvious cause for any dog’s stinky nature, it is more pronounced in Labradoodles because they are notorious for spending most of their time rolling around in muddy water and getting dirty.
If the foul odor comes from your dog’s coat, you will get a whiff of the unique wet dog smell. This simply means that your dog got into something they shouldn’t have or their coat is not yet dry enough.
Whichever the case, you can get rid of the foul smell by bathing your Labradoodle and performing basic grooming practices.
6. Anal Glands
If you notice a strong and fishy smell coming off your dog, this is not normal for this breed and is probably due to issues in the anal glands. If your Labradoodle is experiencing issues in its anal glands, it might appear to be in pain while sitting down, swelling in the affected area, or even attempting to bite or lick its behind.
How to Prevent or Stop Your Labradoodle From Smelling
To successfully prevent and get rid of the pungent smell in your Labradoodle, you first have to ascertain the root cause of the problem. If the smell arises from medical issues, it is pertinent that you take your dog to the vet for further analysis.
Otherwise, there are several things that you can do at home to prevent it. They include:
Proper Grooming Practices
Grooming is undoubtedly the easiest way to get rid of the pungent smell from a dog, and it will go a long way towards preventing the stink in the future. Proper grooming techniques for the Labradoodle involve brushing its coat with a high-quality brush to get rid of debris and mats.
After brushing, consider giving your dog regular baths. While some dog owners may opt to bathe their dogs once or twice a year, experts recommend you give them a good wash every month or so. Sure, some dogs may not enjoy being bathed, but for a Labradoodle owner, make sure that your dog gets comfortable with the whole process.
After bathing your dog, make sure you dry his coat completely because any residual moisture content can make the grooming process null and void. So, as much as you might be using a damp towel, try as much as you can to squeeze out the water before using it on your pooch.
Air Fresheners
Once your dog is groomed and your house is clean, the next step in getting rid of the pungent smell is utilizing air filters or fresheners. You can opt for an automatic-release air freshener that is often free-standing. You need only plug this device in the rooms that your dog spends most of its time in and voila! Your house will be stink-free.
Moreover, you can opt to purchase purifiers and electric air filters to get rid of odor, dust, and other chemicals from your home, thus leaving it fresh and clean.
Clean Your Dog’s Favorite Areas in Your House
Once you have finished with grooming, you can then proceed to post-grooming practices such as house cleaning. Vacuum or sweep your house to get rid of any leftover hair from the initial grooming.
Even though some dog owners might underestimate the overall value of regular hair removal and vacuuming, if combined with daily grooming practices, it will go a long way toward keeping your dog and your home odor free.
Conclusion
Labradoodles are considered mild stinkers because the odor is not as offensive and pungent as you might find in some dog breeds. However, they might smell more than usual because the owner has not been keeping up with the dog’s grooming requirements or due to underlying health issues like dental problems, ear infections, and even problems in the anal glands.
Thankfully, your local vet can fix some of these medical issues. You can also prevent and get rid of the foul odor by cleaning your house, utilizing air fresheners, and keeping up with your dog’s grooming needs.
Featured Image Credit: Angeline Dobber, Shutterstock
